A Story Evolves

Today was one of those days that needed distractions. Sitting in front of a computer designing a presentation for a group of teachers was weighing heavily on my mind. So many thoughts on digital writing were in front of me waiting to find their home in Google Slides. Knowing that a facilitator guides instruction not dominates it was making the task a longer process than I thought. When my husband said that he was taking a ride to Hicks Nursery, I jumped at the chance to go along. Maybe a change of scenery would be just the right break. 

Off we went to the place that I took my children to each Halloween. Otto the Ghost was still there but his venue expanded and his story took on a new dimension. Otto was greeting his little guests in a Disney-like exhibit with a new animated tale called "Otto's Green Halloween." I met a young mother and her little one there for the second time who told us that we were lucky the walkthrough show was not crowded. I was delighted to be able to take photos without throngs of people milling around me and to have such an excited little girl by my side. As we traveled from room to room another child, older than the toddler, appeared and she too was mesmerized by Otto the Ghost. Of course, this brought to mind all of the Halloween visits to see Otto over the years and the fun that happens at Halloween in my neighborhood.  

This trip was the right diversion for me. With camera in hand I was able to hone in on a small moment, capture the buds of a story to share, and continue my quest to find fall. 

"Photography is a love affair with life." (Burk Uzzle, American documentary photographer) I can say honestly that being behind a camera is an exciting place to be. It lets me look at life with a new set of eyes and of course, it offers me inspiration for writing. 

It's Tuesday and time to write, give, and share at the Two Writing Teachers' Slice of Life. You can access the writing community's slices here.

Homeowner's Dilemma

The darkness of the night surrounds. There is peace in its quiet. I am grateful for the time just to sit and be still after the long day of inside and outside homeowners' issues. The lull of the air conditioner allows for a transition to semi-sleep but I wake several times during the night thinking of the undone tasks waiting for me. 

Earlier in the afternoon, my gardener responded to my SOS call. Over the weekend, I was surprised to find that the expensive serpentine tree transplanted to the front garden had lost its leaves. When my gardener came to my rescue he just stared at the tree. I gasped, "Is it dying?" He calmly replied, "Let's just wait a week and see if the tree is just in shock." SHOCK is what I was in. After I blurted out the inside problem, Matt assured me that the tree is minor compared to the inside house issue.

Just prior to the gardener's arrival, I had a visit from the remodeling crew. My husband and I have been trying to uncover the cause of a leak in the corner wall in my laundry room for over a year. We have had several service people come in and there has been no definitive answer until this visit. Luckily for me, the gentleman found the culprit, a caste iron wasteline pipe. Of course, not knowing the immensity of the problem, I asked how does that get fixed. "With caution. These pipes are very heavy and are part of the structure of the house. Experts are needed." Well that leaves me out and so my husband and I turned to my insurance agent who advised me to call his expert plumber. 

I sit here in the quiet of the morning light, waiting for my day to unfold-breathing in and breathing out-grateful that there are "experts" to handle inside and outside homeowner's issues. 

"When life hands you lemons, turn them into lemonade."

Today's Slice of Life is being offered to Two Writing Teachers.

You can access the site to read more slice here.

Love Song To Earth

Tomorrow’s in our hands,

Fragile earth,

Poetry’s perspective

Looking down from the universe.

Keep it safe,

You're no ordinary world-

Heaven's poetry to us!

Keep it safe 

Cause it's our world!

©CVarsalona, 2016

The above poem is a blackout poem 

created from the song below. 

Tomorrow is Earth Day but we should

celebrate the earth everyday!

Enjoy Jane Yolen's "Earth Day" poem

from the Three BearsHoliday Rhyme Book.

Visit Jama Rattigan's blog, Jama's Alphabet Soup, where Laura Shovan's first middle grade verse novel is featured, along with several supportive resources, and delicious chocolate recipes to spread the poetrylicious love.

Quiet Nook

Reflection

Come find me in a quiet corner of the house. 

I am a newly configured quiet nook, standing in sharp contrast to a lower level, messy office. 

I am a sanctuary of tranquility. 

For the past months in the midst of de-clutttering winter decorations from the living and dining rooms, I became a storage area. That was unacceptable, so a great exodus of winter items to the pull-down attic began. Slowly, my space was transformed. 

I am a peaceful writing place to slip into in the early morning hours. 

Styled in the fashion of a bed and breakfast room, serenity and simplicity exist in my space. 

I am a safe haven where time passes slowly but in my sacred sanctuary alone time is not lonely. 

I am a place that the muse visits; whispers her soft tune as the world unfolds each day. 

From the outside world, I hear the birds chirp. I imagine an array of thoughts floating out through the window and connecting with nature. In this flow, words circle back finding a home at my desk.  

I am a reading and writing corner, a cherished space for reflection and wonder. 

Come find me when the quietness of the house settles.

I am always here for you.

Is there not a better way to start the day than to be alone in my quiet corner of the house? 

No constraints or tasks exists here in my quiet space.

I am your place of tranquility. 

Where do you go to still the chatter, find quiet,

and invite the muse into your life? 

(Slicer Bonnie Kaplan is capturing all of the different writing corners to showcase them at Two Writing Teachers. I sent in the above photo without the poem.)

Today marks the sixteenth post of my Clearing a Path series for Two Writing Teachers' March SOLSC. Please visit the site here to read what other small moments slicers are writing about.